ADVICE: Long time difference between ceremony and reception

OMG....if I got an invite with that kind of timeline I would think it was a typo! So WHY is there like a 4 hour gap between? I have never heard of such a thing. What do you expect your guests to do during that huge gap of time?

I'm thinking of getting a voucher for a movie ticket for each guest. I have friends who tell me 5 hours is pretty normal and gives guests time to refresh. But i think it's more of a cultural thing (Italian weddings). That's why I need advice I'm so so sad about this and don't know what to do. This is the latest time slot for the wedding ceremony

I have been to many weddings over the years,and some of those were Italian families and Jewish families and and an even a carnival themed wedding...very, very different types of ceremonies, but there was never any type of large gap like that in-between. I have driven 30-45 minutes to a reception venue after the wedding, but then we just waited for the bride and groom to arrive...maybe an hour to an hour and a half. I'm just being 100% honest with you....I would not wait 4-5 hours to go to a reception, and I would not go to to a movie in-between.

When your friends say that it gives guests time to refresh....what do they do, go home? How many weddings have you been to where there was a 4-5 hour gap between events? However, If that's normal for your friends (from what they have told you) then why are you concerned about it?

Recently, there was a family wedding in which there was a long gap between the ceremony and the reception. This is the first time this has happened, despite the fact that the entire family is Catholic and have Catholic weddings. In the past, all of the family brides have been married in a Saturday afternoon ceremony, and the reception immediately follows. With the increasing desireability of evening receptions, these gaps are now a growing trend among Catholic brides.

In my case, the couple made it very clear that they would understand completely if people only came to the evening reception. There were less than 100 people at the ceremony, and more than 250 at the reception. If there's a long gap, I'm only going to the reception. It doesn't mean I don't care, it means I am not up to trying to find things to do for five hours in wedding clothes and heels. I'd rather show up at your reception fresh and with my envelope in hand.

If you don't have a reception location yet, why is there a gap? Just have your reception immediately following the ceremony,

KarenS aks a good question.

But to answer you question above, I'd have it closer to the town you live in, especially if there is a gap. If people are expected to refresh, let them go home to do that. I think a movie idea is sweet, but you might end up with a lot of extra vouchers for those who don't want to go.

Edited for grammar. Whoops.

Thanks ladies for all the advice. I haven't picked a reception hall yet as I am very concerned over this issue. But ALL the halls around the area will start around 530 even some at 6

Hmm. Try a county or city-owned hall. I had a beach hall that I was able to rent starting at 8am.

I would also only go to the reception. I know my ceremony is only 10 minutes long.I wouldn't wait 5 hours for a 10 minute ceremony

I live in Northern Michigan and I have only been to two wedding that did NOT have a large time gap. One was out of town and the ceremony and reception were at the same place, the other had a gap of about 2 hours. Literally every other wedding I have been to had a noon time wedding and a dinnertime reception. (I have been to about 20 weddings in my life) This is definitely a regional thing.

My ceremony is at noon with cocktails beginning at 5 and dinner at 6. Most of our guests are from out of town and will be able to go back to their hotel room (attached to the banquet hall) and freshen up, snack, rest, sight-see, whatever. Our banquet hall is part of a casino so they can gamble or have a cocktail before the cocktail hour also. Lots of options!

Just as long as your reception venue isn't in the middle of nowhere with nothing for them to do, you and your guests will be fine. Are there other things for them to do? You might not have to provide movie vouchers

None of these venues hold afternoon AND evening weddings? Our cocktail hour is starting at 12:30pm after our 11:30am ceremony. The reception will end at 5:30, and the venue has another wedding coming in at 7pm.

Unless these guests are immediate family, I think it's a lot to ask. I would expect that most people won't go to the ceremony; if they do, it's basically a 12 hour day. And for you? OMG, it's more like a 16 hour day when you consider makeup, travel, photos etc.

What about a private ceremony with just your families?

You have three years to figure it out, but this scenario would be my absolute last choice.

Change the timeline or venue. Do not have a gap. They are completely rude to your guests. I would most likely decline or just attend either the ceremony or reception. I don't think it is appropriate to monopolize your guests entire day because of your poor planning or selfish desires

I am getting married Saturday. I have a big gap,ceremony is at 1pm and reception from 6pm to 11pm. It is totally normal where I am from and NO ONE has said a single word about it. Most of them were OK with it as we don't have many out of town guests. Most of our guests are going to go home and freshen up, grab a light lunch, or hang out at the hotel block we reserved since we do have a 25 minutes drive from our hometown. Since we are inviting kids, they will also be able to take them home for a nap before the reception. Do what YOU want. Do what YOU need to do. Remember its YOUR day

Just because something is common does not make it okay. You probably won't hear from your guests that they think you are being rude, you'll just get massively side-eyed.

But as far as doing what YOU want because it is YOUR day, it stops being YOUR day when you invite someone else. Once that happens YOU need to be a gracious host.

I will have a 3 hr or so gap, and its somewhat common among my family. Almost 95% of our guest list is local, and those that are not know people who are (like their brother or mutual friends). We are not doing a first look, and want to go downtown St. Louis at have pictures made by the Arch and Busch Stadium. IT is 20 mins in the other direction from the ceremony site to the reception site. So coming back to reception will be about 40 minute drive .

Personally, I would pick one or another. 5 hours is a long time.

No one is going to tell you that they think it's a pain. And unless you're getting married with three other people, it's not your day, entirely. It's your day to be a good host.

I do think it's a regional/family thing. As Sarah pointed out, all but 2 of the 20 weddings she's attended have had a large gap. My FH's family is also from Michigan and he says it's quite common in his hometown as well. So, while it isn't something that I personally would do, if it's what your guests are used to I don't see anything selfish about it.

However, it seems that your apprehension stems from the fact that you or your guests aren't used to such a gap. Perhaps look at venues other than reception halls? When I was venue shopping I found lovely outdoor places that could accommodate tents and a dance floor for afternoon/early evening receptions. While we decided not to go that route, they do exist and are perfectly nice options in lieu of an evening indoor reception.

Like Celia said, you have plenty of time to figure it out, so don't stress so much right now